FIVE is still alive for Rob Wilson, as Newcastle Vipers face a double-header against Edinburgh Capitals this weekend.

And the Vipers head coach is determined to finally shrug off the Caps’ hold over his side this season.

Newcastle have had a reasonable stranglehold on fifth-place in the Elite League table of late but six defeats out of six against the Edinburgh outfit this campaign have left them in sixth, one behind the Caps.

The two teams face off at Whitley Bay on Saturday (6.30pm) before the return clash at Murrayfield on Sunday (6pm), with the outcome likely to go a long way to deciding which team finishes fifth – crucial for the play-offs.

And Wilson said: “Right now we’re locked in a battle with Edinburgh and Sheffield for that fifth spot.

“A lot of people will be looking in from the outside thinking does it matter if Newcastle finish fifth, sixth, seventh or eight but it has a major effect on who we’re likely to face in the play-off quarter-finals,” said Wilson.

“Not only that but this club has battled to overachieve all season long and we had held that fifth place for most of the season, but we’ve allowed Edinburgh to overtake us and now we’re wanting to put the record straight.

“Our record is extremely frustrating against Edinburgh this season. In my opinion all the games have been very close but I certainly don’t think they’re six wins better as a team than we are.

“It’s something I want to put right this weekend, we’ve got an opportunity to come away with four points, take back fifth place and get rid of this bogey team tag. The whole organisation and all the guys are focused on getting that rolling on Saturday and the fans can have a major part to play in that, as they did against Cardiff.”

Meanwhile, general manager Jaimie Longmuir has praised fans of both the Vipers AND Cardiff Devils for their support in last Saturday’s 4-1 victory for Newcastle.

“Saturday’s attendance was very positive for us from a support and also a business perspective,” said Longmuir.

“The fans had a major part to play in the outcome of the game and the atmosphere was the most vocal it’s been since we moved to Whitley Bay back in November. I’d like to thank every single fan for that, it’s given the organisation and the players a major boost going into this Saturday’s game against Edinburgh.

“If we can continue to generate an atmosphere like that for the remainder of the season it will certainly make Whitley Bay a daunting place for any opposition teams to visit.”

Longmuir added: “There was a strong travelling support from Cardiff and I’d also like to thank them for their support.

“Obviously the travelling numbers were swelled by the fact the Cardiff City had played Newcastle United on the Friday night, but still we are now aware that a number of football supporters had stayed in Newcastle 24 hours longer just to catch the game.

“As we’ve said on a number of occasions before, this season has been difficult in many different ways so the continued support of our fans and also travelling fans continues to be appreciated.”

:: TICKETS for Saturday’s game (face off 6.30pm) against the Edinburgh Capitals at Whitley Bay Ice Rink are available at www.vipershockey.co.uk , from the club shop on Shakespeare Street, Newcastle or by telephoning 0191 261 0909.